[Finn]

A bill to reimburse the family of Hugh Finn for their legal battles died this morning in a House Committee.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Once again, both sides in the family drama over the rights of the dying were in a General Assembly committee to make their case.
The relief bill died on an 8 to 7 vote-- with Republicans siding with the Governor to kill the bill.
Governor Jim Gilmore lost his court battle last year to stop Michele Finn from letting her husband die after three-and-a-half years in a coma.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:46:00]
[IN Q=I don't]
((MICHELE FINN: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY...BE DONE WITH THIS.))
[SOT 10:41:43]
((DEL. BOB MARSHALL/R-PRINCE WILLIAM CO.: YOU KNOW, SHE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD KEEP OUT, BUT SHE SURE WANTS THE GOVERNMENT IN TO PAY FOR THE MONEY. SHE CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.))
[SUPER=01-Michele Finn/Hugh Finn's Widow; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bob Marshall/(R) Prince William Co.; :12 ]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=both ways.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The state Senator supporting Mrs. Finn's case says he may try again with the bill this session.
(------------)

[Log-Perch]

More than 2-thousand fish in the Roanoke River were killed a year and a half ago...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
when ammonia got in the water from the Roanoke Ice and Cold Storage Plant.
The fish kill included 16 Roanoke Log Perch, an endangered species.
And that made it a federal violation... of- -not just the Clean Water Act, but the Endangered Species Act.
Company President William Bobby Barham pled guilty on both counts in federal court this morning.
Penalties will be imposed against Roanoke Ice in May.
In the meantime, ammonia- driven compressors have been shut down and the plant is now used only for DRY storage .
(------------)

[kurds]

Thousands of Kurds staged a second day of demonstrations across Europe, following the arrest of a Kurdish rebel leader, termed a terrorist by the Turkish Government.
As Kimberely Dozier reports three Kurds were killed today in the most violent demonstration yet in Berlin.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Berlin, Germany; :00]
[SUPER=01-Benjamin Netanyahu/Israeli Prime Minister; :33]
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Dozier/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=cbs news, London]
((A second day of Kurdish protests turned deadly when Israeli security
officers shot and killed 3 demonstrators as they tried to storm the
Israeli consulate in Berlin. The deaths touched off more violence, the
protestors believing Israel helped Turkey capture Kurdish rebel leader
Abdullah Ocalan. He's seen here on Turkish television, being spirited
back for trial. His supporters say he was tricked into abandoning asymul
at a Greek embassy in Kenya.
Israel has now closed its diplomatic missions across Europe, as has
Kenya.
(Sot, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, paraphrased, Israel
had nothing to do with the capture of Ocalan.)
Ocalan has been on the run for almost a decade. Turkey calls him a
terrorist, responsible for some 30-thousand deaths in his campaign for a
separate Kurdish state. Many of Turkey's 12-million Kurds, banned from
speaking their own language and persecuted by the authorities, call him
a freedom fighter.
His arrest touched off one of the wides demonstrations Europe has ever
seen, with Kurds from London to Moscow taking over Greek officials
buildings. This 15-year old girl in London and two men in Athens turning
themselves into human torches.
Protestors occupying the Greek embassy in London are still holding one
hostage, and have gone on a hunger strike. They say they will keep this
up until the world finally decides it's time to help the Kurds. Kimberly
Dozier, CBS News, London.))

[Baby-Found]

Residents of the Northern Virginia suburb of (DUM-freez) Dumfries are reeling-- first from the discovery of a newborn in a trash can and then from the revelation that the mother is a 12-year-old girl.
Authorities say the girl was alone when she gave birth.
Police say the 12-year-old wrapped the baby girl in a plastic grocery bag and put her in a trash can outdoors.
The infant is hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Authorities say the 12-year-old will most likely not be charged because of her age.
They say they have an idea of who the newborn's father is and they are searching for him.

[Danville-Fatal]

A Danville man is dead following an early morning one vehicle accident.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

It happened just before six on Park Avenue in Danville, near Browder Avenue.
Police say Timothy Bethel was traveling southbound in his Nissan Maxima when he crossed the median and struck a tree.
Bethel was pronounced dead at the scene.
(------------)

[Bedford-Ax]

A Bedford County man is in critical condition after an accident on Route 501 near Lynchburg this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

It happened around 9:30 just north of the Lynchburg city limits.
State police say this tractor trailer was headed south on Route 501 when a Chevy Blazer pulled into its path from a gas station parking lot.
The truck struck the Blazer in the driver's side door.
The driver--51- year- old Walter Slaughterbeck of Big Island-- was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital with multiple injuries.
State police are investigating.
(------------)

[Recall]

Thousands of strollers and crib mattresses
are being recalled.
They're all made be Cosco.
About 57-thousand Two Ways tandem strollers are being recalled because some 200 children have been injured because of faulty locks on the folding mechanisms.
Also on the recall list are about 62-thousand mattresses on Cosco tubular metal cribs.
They can collapse and trap kids.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE PHONE NUMBER FULL SCREEN]
Cosco is offering a free repair kit for the strollers, and a 25-dollar checks toward new mattresses.
You can get more information by calling the company at 1-800-221-6736.
(------------)

[DRAGGING]

Testimony has resumed in the trial of a white supremacist accused of chaining a black man to the back of a pickup truck and dragging him to his death.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jasper, TX;]
[4:07:00]
The prosecution plans to introduce D-N-A evidence today.
That might include drops of blood found on the shoes of defendant James King.
In opening statement yesterday, the prosecution told the jury that the blood came from the victim, James Byrd Junior, shown here in newly released home video.
The prosecution also called King a racist who killed for attention.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[4:07:44-57]
[IN Q=I think he's got 3 motives....]
[SUPER=01-Guy James Gray/Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=or satanic.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The trial's first witness was the local sheriff.
He testified that when Byrd's mutilated body was found, he first thought it was a routine hit-and-run.
But when he found a lighter with a K-K-K symbol, the sheriff said he knew it was murder.
(------------)
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

President Clinton may no longer face the wrath of Congress, but he may be in hot water with a federal judge.
That's just one of the stories still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And O-J's football memorabilia brings in more than 400-thousand dollars at auction, but some of it will go up in smoke later today.
We'll explain in a few minutes, but first let's talk to Patrick Evans.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]

[E-Hollins-Murder]

A guilty plea from a man accused of setting a fire --
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[from 98-54 15:15; 98-61 52:52]
[SUPER=03-Fairfax Co./November 1995]
to cover up his sister's murder.
20-year-old Anne Harper was found dead in her family's Fairfax County home on Thanksgiving Day 1995.
She was a Hollins College student.
[SUPER=03-Fairfax Co./September 1998]

Yesterday, Matthew Harper pled guilty to stabbing and killing her BEFORE setting the house on fire to cover up the crime.
In exchange for Harper's plea to second degree murder, Fairfax prosecutors have dropped first-degree murder and attempted murder charges against him.
(------------)

[clinton-contempt]

The Federal Judge who presided over the Paula Jones lawsuit has re-opened the issue of whether the president should be found in contempt of court for his testimony about Monica Lewinsky.
No comment yet from the White House.
There was comment yesterday, in the form of a statement, from first Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on her possible candidacy for the U-S Senate.
She hopes to makes a decision later this year.
(------------)

[oj-auction]

A man who spent 16-thousand dollars at an auction of O-J Simpson's memorabilia says he intends to burn it.
He says it's a protest against Simpson's acquital of murder charges.
Simpson's coveted Heisman trophy now belongs to an unidentified east coast collector.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]
[4:11:58]
The trophy was auctioned off for 230 thousand dollars last night.. to benefit the estates of Simpson's ex-wife and her friend.
Seventy-Four other items sold for several hundred or several thousand dollars, well over their estimated value.

Collector Mark Dalan payed 250 dollars for Simpson's golf clubs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((MARK DALAN, COLLECTOR "IT'S PART OF HISTORY I LIKE TO HAVE IT IN MY HOUSE IT'LL BE A NICE ADD TO MY COLLECTION."))

[Sail-rescue]

A French Yachtswoman is safe today thanks to the determined efforts of a fellow competitor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[10:08:16]
Isabelle Autissier (AH-tis-zee-aye) was leading the around The World Alone race when she ran into rough weather in the southern sea and capsized.
Racing off the coast of Chile, Italian sailor Giovanni Soldini responded to a mayday call and rescued her.
She's now aboard Soldini's yacht which has returned to the race and is expected to reach Uruguay in seven to nine days.
(------------)

[Balloon-attempt]

There's a new entry in the race to circle the globe in a balloon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Almeria, Spain;]

Two British balloonists lifted off in a 200-foot gold and silver balloon from a golf course in southern Spain this morning.
Andy Elson and Colin Prescot waved to hundreds of well-wishers as they took off.
The duo have been waiting for the right opportunity since December.
They hope to get swept up into a subtropical jet stream near the Canary Islands, and then head east across northern Africa.
(------------)

[Stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 38 points.
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Still ahead in sports, the Hokies try to put the brakes on the Owls for the first time ever.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus, what started out as a stellar season for the Express has now become a bit tarnished.
We'll have the details from the Roundhouse, when News 7 at Noon continues.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[express]

The Express was looking to end a three- game losing streak, while the Richmond Renegades skated into the Roundhouse seeking their fourth consecutive win.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Richmond vs Roanoke;]

Duane Harmer was back on the ice for Roanoke last night after a stint with the Lowell Lochmonsters.
And the Express would get on the board first. Scott Campbell's shot gets by goalie Terry Friesen. Roanoke was up one- nothing.
But after that, the Renegades went on a rampage. Darren Wetherill fires one from way outside that gets by Daniel Berthiaume.
[SUPER=38-Richmond/4/Roanoke/1;]

And the Express loses its fourth straight game 4 to 1 in front of more than 32-hundred fans.
(-----------)

[Tech]

Before last night, the Hokies had never won a game against Temple.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Temple vs. Virginia Tech; :00]

And unfortunately for Tech, that streak wouldn't end this time.
The Hokies stayed in step with Temple for a little while. Russ Wheeler passes to Rolan Roberts for the score in the lane.
But the Owls quickly proved they were the dominant birds. Pepe Sanchez, the Temple star, goes coast to coast in transition and drops in two as Temple takes a 20-to-6 lead.
Temple would continue to dominate. Mark Karcher gets the steal and then gives to Rasheed Brokenborough on the break. He gets two, and the lead was nineteen.
Tech would try to make it respectable. Brendan Dunlop gets this shot to fall for three.
[super=33-Temple/78/Virginia Tech/48;]

But the Hokies could only muster 17 points in the half, and Temple wins again 78 to 48.
(------------)

[Lord]

On to the high school courts, where February Madness is in full swing.
In the first round of the Blue Ridge tournament last night, Byrd topped Northside, Alleghany beat Rockbridge and Salem beat Christiansburg by 50.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daleville/Blacksburg vs. Lord Botetourt; :00]

In the other opening night game Blacksburg visited Lord Botetourt.
Botetourt stretches the Blacksburg defense on this play and Brad Hutchins dishes to Chad Hutchins for the bucket, as the Cavs take a three point lead.
Blacksburg comes right back. Lee Smith passes to Patrick Curran for the basket that cut's the lead to one.
Botetourt comes through again. Brad Hutchins drives, shoots and scores.
[super=33-Blacksburg/53 /Lord Botetourt/49;]

But the Indians Darren Eversole would answer that on the other end.
And Blacksburg wins a close one 53-to-49.
(------------)

(( Martin's hopes of winning the 500 were dashed in this crash on lap 136. Martin ended up finishing 31st in the race because of the incident.
But there are 33 more races to go for the newest honorary Big Brother. While in Daytona last week Martin and his sponsor Valvoline, joined forces with former Pittsburgh Steeler great Lynn Swann to announce a $1 million "Caring Hands" program for Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
((LYNN SWANN:))
It will be tough for Martin to be any more successful than he was last season when he won 7 races and 3 poles. But this year Valvoline is giving Big Brothers and Big Sisters big cash everytime Mark wins a race, a pole or leads a lap.

((MARK MARTIN:))
Valvoline also will be setting up shop at 15 races this season including the sring Bristol, Richmond and Charlotte races. Fans will have a chance to place their caring hands on a canvas wall. And Valvoline will give Big Brothers a dollar for every handprint collected.))

[581-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=]

An accident near the Elm Avenue exit is backing up traffic on the Roy Weber expressway. It happened less than a half hour ago, and it appears likely to affect traffic for some time.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Melanie & Tina/Microwave]